Within seconds of the fourth quarter clock hitting zeroes last Saturday night, dozens of Kansas State players celebrated the Big 12 regular season championship and the ensuing BCS berth in the middle of the field in Manhattan, Kan.

Across the field, grim Texas coaches and players watched the scene unfold in the wake of the 42-24 loss as the Kansas State students loudly chanted, "We Own Texas!"

For the Longhorns, the regular season wasn't supposed to end this way. Last year's 21-10 Holiday Bowl win over California was viewed by many analysts as a definite springboard to Texas' return to prominence on the national college football scene.

It didn't happen.

Instead, many of the same problems that have plagued Texas since falling to Alabama in the 2009 BCS national championship game cropped up again this season - inconsistent offense, excessive turnovers, untidy defense, uninspired play.

"I had a feeling in my stomach that I never want to feel the way I feel right now," Desmond Jackson said after the loss to Kansas State. "I feel like there's so much we could have done this year, and we just missed opportunities."

Orangebloods.com, the Rivals.com site for Texas, summed up the loss to Kansas State perfectly: "The K-State game was indicative of Texas' entire season. Strong start. Some downs and ups in the middle and then collapse. . . This team has so much to learn in terms of physical and mental toughness for 60 minutes."